Articles tagged with Brain
Researchers at Houston Methodist have identified a compound that prevents breast cancer cells from spreading to the brain. Edelfosine, an investigational leukemia treatment, has been shown to stop cancer stem cells from growing once they reach the brain. This finding offers new hope for treating metastatic brain disease.
A new generation of brain scanner, weighing just a few grams, can be worn like a helmet and measures brain activity while patients make natural movements. This innovation could revolutionize human brain imaging for young children with epilepsy or patients with neurodegenerative disorders.
A new study identifies alterations in functional connectivity across the whole brain in carriers of the Huntington's disease gene mutation, associated with motor and cognitive function. The study also shows significant associations between the extent of the degree of gene mutation and measures of brain connectivity.
An international team has confirmed a new genetic mutation link to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by identifying KIF5A as a key player in axonal transport. The study used massive amounts of genetic data to pinpoint the link, providing important new directions for future gene therapies.
Researchers have identified a novel thermogenetic tool, Gr28bD, that can regulate individual neurons in the brain through temperature changes. This breakthrough has the potential to advance fundamental brain research and lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Researchers developed a novel method to detect ongoing seizures in comatose patients using brain waves converted to sound. The sonification of EEG provides a potential tool for quickly assessing patients with suspected subclinical seizures like nonconvulsive status epilepticus.
A research team led by Eiji Watanabe reproduced illusory motion using deep neural networks trained for prediction. The DNNs accurately predicted motion in unlearned videos and represented rotational motion in illusion images, similar to human visual perception.
Researchers found that beta-amyloid triggers calcineurin, leading to loss of dendritic spines and synapses in Alzheimer's disease. Rescuing synapses with extra Pin1 or FK506, an FDA-approved drug for transplant rejection, may slow disease progression.
The researchers created a new method for changing the way buttons are activated, called Impact Activation, which was found to be 94% more precise in rapid tapping than regular activation methods. The technique can help gamers and musicians improve their speed and rhythm.
Scientists recommend regular brain scans for children with rare liver cancer due to its potential to metastasize. Early detection could increase surgical removal success and inform treatment choices.
A new study by Elizabeth Sacchi from Binghamton University has found that increasing the space between letters in words can improve reading speed. The researchers measured brain activity while participants read and found that this effect was most pronounced for real words, suggesting a specific role during reading.
Research in mice found that exposure to low levels of BPA during pregnancy can lead to altered brain development and behavior later in life. The study, presented at ENDO 2018, shows that even low doses of BPA can affect the timing of neuron birth and lead to permanent changes in brain function.
Baycrest researchers discovered a new method to improve older adults' name recall by tapping into their brain's natural ability to process distractions. This approach harnesses the idea that older adults can use distraction to aid learning and could lead to an accessible memory training tool.
David A. Bennett's work in memory loss research has led to significant advancements in treating and preventing Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. The study's findings are shared globally to develop therapy and identify resilience characteristics.
During slow wave sleep, brain strengthens neural connections for important information and weakens those for irrelevant data. This process helps to improve signal-to-noise ratio and ensures stronger, consolidated memories.
Researchers found that altering Cdk5 activity made the brains of flies appear genetically older and their bodies to be about 20 days old. The study suggests that neurodegenerative disorders may accelerate the aging process, leading to earlier death and cognitive decline in affected individuals.
Researchers found that lopsided ear function can lead to asymmetric brain development, causing differences in motor behavior. They used mice with a genetic defect to demonstrate the link between inner ear function and brain asymmetry, which was also observed in humans with normal ear function.
B cells play a key role in helping neurons develop by stimulating axon myelination, suggesting a potential link between B cell dysfunction and neurodevelopmental disorders. The study found that specific B cell antibodies promote oligodendrocyte proliferation and neuron myelination.
The research team found that, when learning a new task, the brain operates under a more stringent set of constraints than originally thought, resulting in good short-term learning but suboptimal performance. The brain tends to repurpose existing neural activity patterns rather than generating entirely new ones.
A new analysis of neuroscience studies on free will found significant variability across studies, with some concluding that human actions are driven by external stimuli while others found conflicting results. The researchers argue that neuroscientists should critically examine their methods to avoid promoting unsubstantiated beliefs.
A study led by Amita Sehgal has found that the permeability of the blood brain barrier fluctuates over 24 hours, with a molecular clock regulating this rhythm. The researchers suggest that timing the delivery of medications targeted to the central nervous system could improve outcomes for patients.
Scientists have demonstrated that a specific pattern of brain activity, known as sleep spindles, supports the reactivation process during sleep. By analyzing brain signals associated with reactivated memories, researchers were able to decode their content in real-time.
A new study by Georgia State University found that social stress causes changes in gut bacteria in Syrian hamsters, regardless of who wins or loses. The researchers discovered that even a single exposure to social stress leads to changes in the gut microbiota, similar to what is seen following other physical stressors.
Researchers at Syracuse University have identified a key protein and enzyme involved in regulating seizures, finding that T-cell intracellular antigen-1 (TIA-1) suppresses severe electrical storms in the brain by increasing cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in neurons.
Researchers found that a specific part of the fly brain's circadian clock, DN1p, increases activity when cooled and decreases activity when heated, suggesting a key role in regulating sleep patterns. The study has implications for understanding how temperature affects human sleep behavior.
Researchers discover TREM2 receptor mediates anti-amyloid toxicity, potentially preventing or reducing neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's. Boosting TREM2 levels in the brain may prevent disease progression and restore cognitive function.
Researchers found that the primate brain quickly and efficiently shifts attention with each eye movement in a well-synchronized manner. This synchronization allows for optimal processing of relevant stimuli across saccades. The study's findings have implications for understanding disorders like schizophrenia and visual neglect.
Researchers have created an innovative method to alleviate common fears by reading out unconscious brain activity and associating feared objects with positive feelings. By using a mental exercise game and leveraging artificial intelligence algorithms, participants can become desensitized to phobic stimuli without encountering the feare...
A new brain imaging technique, radial VIBE, has shown promise in reducing motion-related artifacts in brain imaging of restless children. This alternative method to conventional MRI improved image quality and lesion conspicuity compared to MP-RAGE sequence.
Research by Professor Yee Lee Shing investigates how brain predicts environment, using EU-funded grant to explore internal models and cognitive processes. Long-term goal is to better understand clinical conditions like autism and schizophrenia.
Researchers recreated déjà vu in human subjects to study the feeling of premonition, finding participants were no more likely to predict the future than blind guesses. During déjà vu, they felt like they knew what's going to happen next, mirroring real-life experiences.
Researchers observed how the brain learns to repeat patterns of neural activity that elicit a feeling of pleasure in mice, providing new strategies for targeting disorders characterized by abnormal repetitive behaviors. The findings also have implications for treating addiction and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Scientists at University of Illinois create artificially intelligent ocean predator called Cyberslug, which reacts to food and responds to its own kind like the actual sea slug Pleurobranchaea californica does. The virtual creature has simple self-awareness, relating motivation and memories to external world perception.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet identified a mechanism that blocks nerve fiber regeneration in spinal cord injuries, leading to permanent functional deficits. By inhibiting scar formation, they found improved functional recovery in mice, offering new hope for treating this devastating condition.
Researchers have developed comprehensive computer models of cortical neurons that accurately replicate their activity. These models can be used to understand how different cell types differ from one another and may eventually be applied to model neurological disorders such as epilepsy or Alzheimer's disease.
A recent study published in PNAS found that holding hands can synchronize brain wave patterns and reduce pain. The study also discovered that empathy plays a crucial role in this phenomenon, with more empathetic partners experiencing greater brain activity sync.
Studies analyzing brain activity during sedation, surgical anesthesia, and vegetative states reveal fragmented networks and decreased information integration. Researchers hope to develop better methods for quantifying anesthesia depth and assessing consciousness in patients.
Researchers recorded electrical activity of hundreds of neurons in a mouse model for up to half an hour, discovering competing neural networks that operate at different timescales. The findings show that certain networks can synchronize their activity, while others slow down or speed up in a coordinated manner.
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology found that activity in specific brain areas correlates with different behaviors in female Manduca sexta. The study identified a functional atlas of the antennal lobe, which is linked to feeding behavior, whereas other areas are related to egg-laying.
Researchers find that L1-CAM grips and slips on laminin to steer axons to their final destination. Disruption of this system leads to CRASH syndrome, a brain disorder characterized by neural disabilities.
The University of Cincinnati has received a $1.75 million grant to study signaling pathways underlying the development of acquired epilepsy. Researchers aim to prevent seizures without side effects, addressing a pressing need in epilepsy treatment.
A study of 20 couples found that brain-to-brain coupling during handholding was associated with pain reduction in the female partner. The phenomenon, known as social touch analgesia, may be linked to increased empathic accuracy between partners.
Researchers simulated a sea slug's decision-making process in Cyberslug, a virtual environment that mimics the creature's behavior. The study found that hunger and learning ability are crucial attributes in regulating prey consumption, laying the groundwork for more complex models of AI decision-making.
A new discovery about the immune system may allow doctors to treat harmful inflammation that damages the brain in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. The finding could also be used to save patients from deadly sepsis, a full-body infection that kills hundreds of thousands of Americans every year.
A Canadian study found that individuals close to their parent's onset age of Alzheimer's are more likely to have amyloid plaques in their brain. The research also suggests a stronger link between parental age, ApoE4 gene carriers, and increased disease risk.
Researchers developed a novel olfactory virtual reality system that enables the study of how smells engage the brain's navigation system. The study demonstrated that mice can form a map of their surroundings based solely on smells, suggesting a potential new frontier in multisensory VR experience development.
A preliminary study found that following the DASH diet was associated with a lower risk of depression, while a Western diet high in saturated fats was linked to increased depression risk. The study, supported by the National Institute on Aging, suggests that a healthy diet may be an effective way to reduce depression risk and promote b...
A study presented at the ARRS 2018 Annual Meeting found that emergency patients are often given unnecessary head CT scans, leading to radiation exposure and healthcare costs. Motor vehicle accidents were associated with a higher rate of non-indicated CT examinations.
A register-based study covering 598,553 Danish children found that recurring less serious severe infections do not affect children's cognitive development or ability to complete primary and lower secondary school. In contrast, severe infections with hospitalisations were associated with a lower chance of completing 9th grade.
A new technique developed by neuroscientists at the University of Toronto Scarborough can reconstruct images seen by test subjects based on electroencephalography (EEG) data. This method uses machine learning algorithms to digitally recreate images in the subject's mind, revealing fine-grained visual detail.
Researchers identified a specific brain signal associated with speech understanding, which disappears when listeners don't understand or aren't paying attention. This discovery has potential applications in tracking language development, assessing brain function, and detecting early onset of dementia.
A novel 'memtransistor' device developed by Northwestern University's Mark C. Hersam can process information and store memory like the human brain, potentially revolutionizing computing. The memtransistor combines characteristics of a memristor and transistor, operating with multiple terminals similar to neural networks.
A study published in PNAS found that a protein called neuregulin 3 suppresses the release of glutamate, a neurotransmitter essential for learning, in people with schizophrenia. The researchers used genetic and biochemical techniques to investigate how neuregulin 3 controls neurotransmitters in the brain.
Researchers at George Washington University are exploring a possible link between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and cardiovascular disease. A recent grant of over $1.5 million will investigate the brain renin-angiotensin system's role in this connection.
Researchers found that when memory demands are high, signals in the brain correlate to reinforcement learning become stronger, suggesting a cooperative interaction between the two systems. When participants can hold information in mind, signals associated with reinforcement learning weaken, indicating an increased role for working memory.
Scientists analyzed 94 hominin fossils, finding average brain size increased gradually over three million years due to evolution of larger brains within populations. The research also shows the impact of introducing new, larger-brained species and extinction of smaller-brained ones on brain size evolution.
Researchers at Lancaster University have developed a new non-invasive technique to study brain function and its relation to aging. Preliminary results suggest that brain aging may begin earlier than expected, with declines in coherence between cerebrospinal fluid oscillations observed in participants over 25.
Researchers develop method to grow tiny brain models from human cells, revealing physical forces behind brain folding and potential links to microcephaly, epilepsy, and schizophrenia.
Researchers found four cases of amyloid beta pathology in brain blood vessels after childhood neurosurgery, sparking concerns over potential transmission of protein pathology. The study's findings were supported by a review of medical literature and suggest that neurosurgical instruments may be responsible.
Carnegie Mellon University's Rob Kass and Byron Yu will present on using statistical methods to understand brain function, including the development of brain-computer interfaces. The panel aims to explore the application of cutting-edge statistics in neuroscience.